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PUBLIC ORDER
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THE Hong Kong Government gives high priority to the fight against crime and the maintenance of public order. The Fight Crime Committee, chaired by the Chief Secretary, provides valuable advice and puts forward recommendations on areas of public concern and on measures to improve the maintenance of law and order.
The Royal Hong Kong Police has operational responsibility for crime prevention and detection, the maintenance of public order and, since April, 1992, has fully resumed responsibility for the detection of illegal immigrants on the border.
The Immigration Department, through its control of the entry and exit points and activities directed at discovering illegal immigrants, contributes significantly to the main- tenance of law and order.
In anti-narcotics operations the police maintain close liaison with the Customs and Excise Department. The latter also maintains links with overseas customs authorities and plays a major part in combating smuggling and enforcing the Copyright Ordinance.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption enforces the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and promotes greater community awareness of the evils of corruption.
The Correctional Services Department administers the penal system and runs correc- tional and rehabilitative programmes. The department also manages six Detention Centres for Vietnamese Migrants.
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The Fire Services Department gives advice on fire protection and provides fire-fighting and rescue services. It also operates the major ambulance service.
Fight Crime Committee
In 1992, the Fight Crime Committee continued to provide advice on measures to combat crime. Specific subjects considered included measures to counter organised and serious crimes, triads in schools, crime involving juvenile and young offenders, robberies of goldsmith and jewellery shops, regulation of the security industry and ways to encourage the public to participate actively in the fight crime effort.
The Organised Crime Bill was published in the form of a White Bill for public comment in August 1991. In the light of the comments received, the Fight Crime Committee agreed that the bill should be refined and improved to form the Organised and Serious Crimes Bill. This bill was introduced into the Legislative Council on July 15. The objective of the bill is to tackle organised crime, including triads, and other serious crimes effectively by, among other things, enhanced investigative powers and provisions to enable heavier